AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The Ripon College baseball team opened their 2015 campaign on the right note, with a 9-7 come-from-behind- win over Amherst College. The Red Hawks trailed by three runs entering the final two innings, but a five-run eighth sealed the victory.

Ripon's offense didn't take long to get warmed up, as Mitchell Busch gave them the first lead of the day on a two-out RBI double in the top of the first, scoring Michael Polcyn from first base. Amherst (0-1) tied things up in the third on an RBI single, and took the lead one inning later with another RBI single and a two-run triple.

Both teams scored once more in the fifth and twice in the sixth, as Amherst took a 7-4 lead into the eighth. Ripon's rally started by drawing three straight walks to open the inning. After a fielder's choice and sac fly pulled Ripon (1-0) within one, Nick Kita gave them the lead for good on the freshman's first collegiate at-bat. Kita's double down the left field line scored two runs, and was followed by an RBI single by Busch.

Ethan Bemowski (1-0) made sure Ripon kept that lead, recording the final six outs to secure the win, as part of his 3.2 scoreless innings, which included six strikeouts.

Dakotah Kirchenwitz went 3-for-5 at the plate, while also scoring one run. Busch added a 2-for-5 performance at the plate. Busch, Kita, and Randy Finger led the Red Hawks with two RBI apiece.

The Red Hawks will try to keep things rolling on Sunday when they'll play a doubleheader against Allegheny College. The first game of that twinbill will begin at 9:05 a.m. ET. There will be audio of the second game and LiveStats available at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/allegheny/.
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